As the demand for digital health tools continues to rise, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York has introduced an enhanced digital wellness platform, My- Health, developed in partnership with Welltok, the leading consumer health enterprise company, designed to improve the health of their 800,000 members.
Upon login to their member portal through bcbswny.com, BlueCross BlueShield members complete a free, digital health assessment and receive a snapshot of their current state of health. From there, the platform creates a personalized wellness plan for each individual and provides a variety of custom programs focused on improving the member’s health.
Unique to MyHealth, members can access online video coaching sessions to learn about a variety of relevant wellness topics, such as preventive health, managing financial uncertainty, or seasonal topics such as beating the summer heat and maintaining weight during the holiday season.
Members can also securely participate in group discussions with other members and share health-related experiences and journeys, locate and receive discounts on local fitness centers and exercise classes, and sync their wearable devices with the platform for convenient tracking.
“In today’s environment, it’s important to introduce digital tools that empower our members and help them learn how to better navigate their health and wellness, “said Dr. Thomas Schenk, senior vice president and chief medical officer for BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. “By engaging and communicating to individuals through these platforms, BlueCross BlueShield is able to greater influence our community’s well-being.”
According to an annual study released by Rock Health, nearly half of all consumers are now considered active digital health adopters and only 12 percent of Americans are non-adopters.
In response to the growing trend, Blue- Cross BlueShield also recently launched an enhanced cost estimator tool, designed to help members plan for their health care expenses. With one out of four members enrolled in a high deductible plan, this digital tool powered by Vitals, is extremely useful as it provides cost information on common medical procedures per provider and location. Members can also explore potential providers throughout the community, which include the clinician’s special recognitions and quality ratings.
Additionally, BlueCross BlueShield’s recently relaunched member app features new tools to help member’s better manage their health while on the go. With the app, members can locate a doctor, access and present their member ID cards and look up cost-information related to their health plan. The app also maintains a log of past doctor visits with claims information for reference. Mobile app downloads have increased by over 10 percent since the app was relaunched in September 2016. T
For more information on BlueCross BlueShield’s digital health tools, members can visit bcbswny.com or call 884-2800 to speak with a customer service representative.
Date:Aug 10, 2017